A VISIT TO ROCHAMA. 107 insulted by a later commander of Fatiko, that he completely withdrew, and was not seen for years. J was the more surprised, therefore, at receiving a visit from his son, who invited me to go to his father, for he had heard of my visit to Kabréga.* Rochama wished to have a talk with me, but did not dare to come here, so, as our side had done the wrong, I willingly assented.

We turned in a direction nearly due east, towards the grand forest which covers the slightly rising undulating ground before us. Terminalias, isolated acacias, doléb palms, Ficus, Combretaceze, resplendent with red blossoms, an occasional date-palm, -Vitex, and Albizzias, between which here and there a gigantic Dahbergia or an equally beautiful tamarind peeped forth—all . these formed a rich display, and, with their feathered inhabitants, provided so many objects of interest that the journey of an hour and a half to Otdngole passed very quickly. We left the little village just mentioned on our left, hidden among bananas and tall trees, and surrounded by masses of rock, but all the inhabitants were assembled on the rocks to see us pass by. Proceeding in the same direction, we entered more extensive woods, and came at last to a large khor in a deeply sunk bed, on the farther bank of which stood the village Bayira, Rochama’s headquarters.

A guard of honour awaited us, composed of about twenty of the chief’s servants, dressed in coloured cloths, and armed with old muskets; he himself stood on one side, surrounded by a eroup of Negroes, freshly painted red and clothed with skins, all awaiting my arrival. We were now requested to wait a moment until the two goats we had brought with us were killed and their blood sprinkled on our path ; then Rochama stepped across the blood to greet me by touching my hand, and then he led me into the village near by, where an ankareb was placed for him under a tree, and my chair stood near in the shadow of a house. On either side of the chief stood guards, muskets in hand; before him knelt a young man who appeared to be his confidant; some 250 to 300 painted Negroes in the most diversified costumes, with iron and bead ornaments, crowded * Speke has already alluded to communications between Unydro and Géni. Gani is the Kinyéro and Kigdnda name for the Shuli district.